It's been three years since Li Lykke Timotej Zachrisson - otherwise known as Lykke Li - debuted with 'Youth Novels', a critically acclaimed debut which launched the Swedish singer as one of those artists to watch for the future. Over the past three years a lot has changed and Lykke Li seems more than ready to break out of the box some media put her into three years ago. 'Because you're a woman the music industry puts you in another corner, she told Pitchforkmedia recently. 'I want to be fighting with the men'. And she was fed up with being cathegorized as the cute female pop singer. Consequently, her sophomore effort Wounded Rhymes feels a lot darker and gloomier than its predecessor and most importantly, the cuteness is gone. First single 'Get Some' released late last year showed us a snapshot preview, the full album validates the transformation into adulthood. At age 25 Lykke Li went from girl to woman, and a strong one at that.
The first thing to strike is the fact that musically Zachrisson is going for a much fiercer sound on Wounded Rhymes. Long gone is the sweet girl blushfully sharing her boy crush in 'Little Bit'. This time she's in charge and there's not a whole lot that will stop her. Opener 'Youth Knows No Pain' immediatly sets the mood. Tribal beats dance around to the tunes of one of those baseball hymn organs, while the singer celebrates the endless possibilitues youth offers. 'Youth knows no pain, honey, so throw yourself to pieces'. As far as breaking out goes, she's off to a good start. On 'I Follow Rivers' she continues on that note, propeled by the song's oriental rhythms, subtly referring to 'Little Bit', only without the naiveté and sweetness that sometimes marked Youth Novels. On lead single 'Get Some' - released in October last year - Zachrisson is in full charge, declaring 'I'm your prostitute'. A case of pure powerplay, as the singer creeps into the fantasy of men, tightening her grip on them while letting them think it's the other way around. The clip going with the song shows a mix of intruiging black-and-white footage and the singer dancing in tribal manner radiating both seduction and danger.
As the dust settles down Lykke Li shows that she has also made a leap forward, which most shines through on the slower tracks on the second half of Wounded Rhymes. 'Love Out of Lust' for instance, on which she prefers taking risks in love - and in general life - even if it means risking bumping your head against the wall. Because life is too short to ponder away. It has almost become the mantra of the whole album. Not that being strong and emancipated means that there's no room for vulnerability and grief, au contraire. But with a positive undertone, as she surrenders herself to sadness on 'Sadness Is a Blessing'. After all, what are highs without contrasting lows? The essence here however is her newfound resilience. While her wounded rhymes express her heartache, the music forms a counterbalance, as if to emphasize that even when it hurts, there's no greater feeling than to be able to feel such emotions. And it's all part of the empowerment central on this record. As a whole the album exhales a level of maturity that she couldn't have achieved when she was recording her first one. But by consistently seeking improvement and trying to explore new fields of emotions and musical styles Lykke Li has seemingly effortlessy met expectations.
Tracklist
1. Youth Knows No Pain
2. I Follow Rivers
3. Love Out of Lust
4. Unrequited Love
5. Get Some
6. Rich Kids Blues
7. Sadness is a Blessing
8. I Know Places
9. Jerome
10. Silent My Song
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